Posted: July 15, 2009

City of Oconomowoc — A donation by Pabst Farms Development to the Oconomowoc Public Education Foundation (OPEF) marks the largest endowment to date to the organization's fund to support enhancements to the Oconomowoc Arts Center.

The gift of $30,000 makes Pabst Farms Development the first Platinum-level donor to the PACE (Performing Arts Center Enhancement).

"At Pabst Farms we know how important a thriving, top-performing school district is to our residents," said Peter Bell, president of Pabst Farms Development Inc.

"Therefore, when presented with the opportunity to support the new Oconomowoc Arts Center, we decided as a company to make a substantial donation toward this one-of-a-kind, community-based performing arts facility, which will benefit amazingly talented students throughout our community for years to come," he said.

"It's an investment in the partnership that we continue to value and to build between the greater Oconomowoc community and Pabst Farms," Bell added.

The PACE initiative began in an effort to "elevate the publicly funded high school auditorium to a first-class community arts center that can attract national and international performers," according to information from the organization.

Those enhancements include acoustical upgrades in the auditorium, acoustical panels for the mechanical room and orchestra pit, upgraded auditorium seating, exterior decorative lighting, electrical equipment for stage construction and additional sound and light electronics.

"The Oconomowoc Public Education Foundation (OPEF) is very pleased to receive this Pacesetter-level donation from Pabst Farms for the Performing Arts Center Enhancement (PACE) fund, one of several funds supported and managed by our foundation.," said Mike Herro, president of the Oconomowoc Public Education Foundation board, which is directing the PACE campaign.

"The Pabst Farms gift is the largest thus far to OPEF or PACE campaign and provides great support to the professional theater enhancements at the Oconomowoc Arts Center," he added.

OPEF is a broad-based educational foundation created to support innovative educational opportunities and experiences in the Oconomowoc Area School District. OPEF's general fund provides grants to teachers, administrators and students for a far-reaching range of needs and the foundation also administers several designated funds, such as PACE. With the goal of raising $500,000 in enhancements for the Oconomowoc Arts Center, PACE is the largest fund currently managed by OPEF.

"Pabst Farms has always been very supportive of the Oconomowoc Area School District and the educational opportunities available to our students," said Superintendent Patricia Neudecker.

"I am thrilled that they understand and appreciate the significance of the Oconomowoc Arts Center and its importance as a community resource. The generous Pabst Farms pledge is a wonderful addition to our growing list of donors," she added.

The donation was made at a recent gala at the OAC at which a portion of the ticket sales, about $1,500, was allocated for future programming at the Arts Center.

For more information about the Oconomowoc Public Education Foundation, or the PACE campaign, visit www.opef.info.